614 research outputs found
Testing the evolutionary link between submillimetre galaxies and quasars: CO observations of QSOs at z~2
We have used the IRAM Plateau de Bure millimetre interferometer and the UKIRT 1–5 μm Imager Spectrometer (UIST) to test the connection between the major phases of spheroid growth and nuclear accretion by mapping CO emission in nine submillimetre-detected QSOs at z= 1.7–2.6 with black hole (BH) masses derived from near-infrared spectroscopy. When combined with one QSO obtained from the literature, we present sensitive CO(3–2) or CO(2–1) observations of 10 submillimetre-detected QSOs selected at the epoch of peak activity in both QSOs and submillimetre (submm) galaxies (SMGs). CO is detected in 5/6 very optically luminous (MB∼−28) submm-detected QSOs with BH masses MBH≃ 109–1010 M⊙, confirming the presence of large gas reservoirs of Mgas≃ 3.4 × 1010 M⊙. Our BH masses and dynamical mass constraints on the host spheroids suggest, at face value, that these optically luminous QSOs at z= 2 lie about an order of magnitude above the local BH–spheroid relation, MBH/Msph, although this result is dependent on the size and inclination of the CO-emitting region. However, we find that their BH masses are ∼30 times too large and their surface density is ∼300 times too small to be related to typical SMGs in an evolutionary sequence. Conversely, we measure weaker CO emission in four fainter (MB∼−25) submm-detected QSOs with properties, BH masses (MBH≃ 5 × 108 M⊙), and surface densities similar to SMGs. These QSOs appear to lie near the local MBH/Msph relation, making them plausible ‘transition objects’ in the proposed evolutionary sequence linking QSOs to the formation of massive young galaxies and BHs at high redshift. We show that SMGs have a higher incidence of bimodal CO line profiles than seen in our QSO sample, which we interpret as an effect of their relative inclinations, with the QSOs seen more face-on. Finally, we find that the gas masses of the four fainter submm-detected QSOs imply that their star formation episodes could be sustained for ∼10 Myr, and are consistent with representing a phase in the formation of massive galaxies which overlaps a preceding SMG starburst phase, before subsequently evolving into a population of present-day massive ellipticals
The Discovery of Gas-Rich, Dusty Starbursts in Luminous Reddened Quasars at with ALMA
We present ALMA observations of cold dust and molecular gas in four high-luminosity, heavily reddened (A mag) Type 1 quasars at with virial MM, to test whether dusty, massive quasars represent the evolutionary link between submillimetre bright galaxies (SMGs) and unobscured quasars. All four quasars are detected in both the dust continuum and in the CO(3-2) line. The mean dust mass is 610M assuming a typical high redshift quasar spectral energy distribution (T=41K, =1.95 or T=47K, =1.6). The implied star formation rates are very high - 1000 M yr in all cases. Gas masses estimated from the CO line luminosities cover 1-5()M and the gas depletion timescales are very short - Myr. A range of gas-to-dust ratios is observed in the sample. We resolve the molecular gas in one quasar - ULASJ23150143 () - which shows a strong velocity gradient over 20 kpc. The velocity field is consistent with a rotationally supported gas disk but other scenarios, e.g. mergers, cannot be ruled out at the current resolution of these data. In another quasar - ULASJ1234+0907 () - we detected molecular line emission from two millimetre bright galaxies within 200 kpc of the quasar, suggesting that this quasar resides in a significant over-density. The high detection rate of both cold dust and molecular gas in these sources, suggests that reddened quasars could correspond to an early phase in massive galaxy formation associated with large gas reservoirs and significant star formation
ACTH, beta-endorphin and Met-enkephalin: peripheral modifications during the stress of human labor
We investigated the psychoneuroendocrine and emotional correlates of the natural stress situation of human labor. State anxiety, subjective pain, plasma ACTH, peripheral plasma betalipotropin (Beta-LPH), beta-endorphin (Beta-EP), and met-enkephalin (Met-Enk) were serially evaluated at six predetermined time points before, and after labor in a sample of 14 women with normal pregnancies. State anxiety and subjective pain showed a progressive increase during labor, with a levelling during the final stage. Plasma Beta-EP and ACTH showed a similar progressive increasing from baseline until the end of labor. Beta-LPH showed no significant modification. Met-Enk remained at nearly baseline values throughout labor, with a marked progressive rise in the postpartum stage. The findings of this study seem to confirm the role of plasma Beta-EP as a stress hormone. Possible relationship between pain and anxiety curves and plasma Beta-EP are discussed in light of psychobiological studies on stress, the opioid system and analgesia. Plasma Met-Enk, according to our findings, should probably not be regarded as a stress hormone. Its rise in the postpartum stage might be as one of the psychoneuroendocrine mechanisms maintaining elevated prolactin levels during lactation. © 1985
The interstellar medium properties of heavily reddened quasarsand companions at z∼ 2.5 with ALMA and JVLA
We study the interstellar medium (ISM) properties of three heavily reddened quasars at z∼ 2.5 and three millimetre-bright companion galaxies near these quasars. New Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) and Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations constrain the CO(1-0), CO(7-6), and [CI]3P2-3P1 line emission and the far-infrared to radio continuum. The gas excitation and physical properties of the ISM are constrained by comparing our observations to photodissociation region models. The ISM in our high-redshift quasars is composed of very high-density, high-temperature gas that is already highly enriched in elements like carbon. One of our quasar hosts is shown to be a close-separation
Properties of the molecular gas in a starbursting QSO at z = 1.83 in the COSMOS field
Using the IRAM 30 m telescope, we have detected the 12CO J=2-1, 4-3, 5-4, and 6-5 emission lines in the millimeter-bright, blank-field selected AGN COSMOS J100038+020822 at redshift z = 1.8275. The sub-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) excitation of the J=4 level implies that the gas is less excited than that in typical nearby starburst galaxies such as NGC 253, and in the high-redshift quasars studied to date, such as J1148+5251 or BR1202-0725. Large velocity gradient (LVG) modeling of the CO line spectral energy distribution (CO SED; flux density vs. rotational quantum number) yields H{2} densities in the range 103.5-104.0 cm-3, and kinetic temperatures between 50 K and 200 K. The H{2} mass of (3.6 - 5.4) à 1010 Mo implied by the line intensities compares well with our estimate of the dynamical mass within the inner 1.5 kpc of the object. Fitting a two-component gray body spectrum, we find a dust mass of 1.2 à 109 Mo, and cold and hot dust temperatures of 42±5 K and 160±25 K, respectively. The broad MgII line allows us to estimate the mass of the central black hole as 1.7 à 109 Mo. Although the optical spectrum and multi-wavelength SED matches those of an average QSO, the molecular gas content and dust properties resemble those of known submillimeter galaxies (SMGs). The optical morphology of this source shows tidal tails that suggest a recent interaction or merger. Since it shares properties of both starburst and AGN, this object appears to be in a transition from a strongly starforming submillimeter galaxy to a QSO
The SCUBA half-degree extragalactic survey - I. Survey motivation, design and data processing
The Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array ( SCUBA) Half-Degree Extragalactic Survey ( SHADES) is a major new blank-field extragalactic submillimetre (submm) survey currently underway at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). Ultimately, SHADES aims to cover half a square degree at 450 and 850 mu m to a 4 sigma depth of similar or equal to 8 mJy at 850 mu m. Two fields are being observed, the Subaru/XMM-Newton Deep Field (SXDF) (02(h)18(m) - 05 degrees.) and the Lockman Hole East (10(h)52(m) + 57 degrees). The survey has three main aims: (i) to investigate the population of high-redshift submm galaxies and the cosmic history of massive dust-enshrouded star formation activity; (ii) to investigate the clustering properties of submm-selected galaxies in order to determine whether these objects could be progenitors of present-day massive ellipticals; and (iii) to investigate the fraction of submm-selected sources that harbour active galactic nuclei. To achieve these aims requires that the submm data be combined with cospatial information spanning the radio-to-X-ray frequency range. Accordingly, SHADES has been designed to benefit from ultra-deep radio imaging obtained with the Very Large Array (VLA), deep mid-infrared observations from the Spitzer Space Telescope, submm mapping by the Balloon-borne Large Aperture Submillimetre Telescope ( BLAST), deep near-infrared imaging with the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope, deep optical imaging with the Subaru Telescope and deep X-ray observations with the XMM-Newton observatory. It is expected that the resulting extensive multiwavelength data set will provide complete photometric redshift information accurate to delta(z) 3 sigma at 850 mu m. Although uncorrected for Eddington bias, this source density is more than sufficient for providing enough sources to answer the science goals of SHADES, once half a square degree is observed. A refined reanalysis of the original 8-mJy survey Lockman hole data was carried out in order to evaluate the new data-reduction pipeline. Of the 17 most secure sources in the original sample, 12 have been reconfirmed, including 10 of the 11 for which radio identifications were previously secured
Prostatic arterial embolization as a micro-invasive treatment option for benign prostatic obstruction: a subtle balance between short-term follow-up patient-reported outcomes and de-obstructive effectiveness
Formation of cavities in the X-ray emitting cluster gas of Cygnus A
Publisher's version/PDFThe ROSAT data from the cluster gas of Cygnus A are re-examined in light of a three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulation of a supersonic jet propagating in an isothermal King atmosphere designed to follow the observed density distribution of the Cygnus A cluster gas. In addition to the presence of a non-uniform atmosphere, this simulation departs from previous 3D work in that the X-ray (bremsstrahlung) brightness distribution has been determined from the flow variables as a function of time. This simulation provides compelling evidence for the conclusions reached by Carilli et al. who stated that the major features of the X-ray brightness distribution are manifestations of the expanding lobe and the passage of a bow shock within the atmosphere. Further, this work demonstrates that these X-ray features are as much a function of the observing frequency and bandwidth as they are of the local conditions in the cluster gas of Cygnus A. In addition, new estimates of the Mach number of the jet (M[greater than or equal to]4) as well as the density and temperature jumps across the bow shock are derived by comparing the simulations with the X-ray data from Cygnus A
TRANSPERINEAL LASER ABLATION VERSUS TRANS-URETHRAL RESECTION OF PROSTATE FOR BENIGN PROSTATIC OBSTRUCTION: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Transperineal interstitial laser ablation (TPLA) is among one of the latest ultra-minimally invasive technique to treat benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). No study investigated the actual rate of preservation of the ejaculatory function after TPLA, in comparison to the reference standard trans-urethral resection of prostate (TURP). We aimed to evaluate the reliability of TPLA in preserving the ejaculation compared to TURP. METHODS: In this single-center, prospective, randomized, open-label study, consecutive patients with indication to surgical treatment for BPO were enrolled between January 2020 and September 2021 (NCT04781049). Randomization defined two treatment arms: Group A: patients assigned to TPLA (experimental); Group B: patients assigned to TURP (standard). Primary endpoints included comparison of visual analogue scale (VAS), change in ejaculatory function (by EJ-MSHQ), and changes in sexual function (by IIEF-5) at 1 month after surgery. Secondary endpoints included ΔIPSS and ΔQoL, and Qmax improvement at 6 months. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (26 TPLA versus 25 TURP) were analyzed. No differences were found in the perception of pain assessed by VAS. No differences in IIEF-5 score were found between groups. Distribution of ejaculatory function assessed by the EJ-MSHQ remained unmodified after TPLA (p=0.2) while a median 31% decrease in EJ-MSHQ score (IQR -67;-14%) was observed after TURP (p=0.01). Retrograde ejaculation was reported in one patient within the TPLA group (18 patients s/p TURP). A statistically significant difference between the treatment groups was found in terms of postoperative Qmax (15.2 (IQR 13.5–18.3) versus 26.0 (IQR 22.0–48.0) ml/s, TPLA versus TURP, p<0.001). Qmax was statistically significantly improved with respect to baseline after TPLA (%ΔQmax+42 (+24; +76), p<0.001). Both treatments significantly improved IPSS and QoL with respect to baseline, with TURP impacting more significantly (%ΔIPSS -35.9 (IQR -54.5; -1.3) versus -66.7 (-82.8; -46.7) and %ΔQoL -33.3 (-50; -8) versus -60.0 (IQR -80; -33), TPLA versus TURP, all p-values <0.03). CONCLUSIONS: TPLA allowed for maintaining ejaculation in 96% of the cases, confirming to be valid option in patients seeking for pairing the relief from BPO to the high probability of preserving ejaculatory function
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